Christmas always reminds me of traditions past. Meals grandparents’ houses. Foods made certain ways like only Granny could. Endless card games. Silly activities with cousins. The Christmas story. Songs led and sung by Papa’s deep voice. The present exchanges. And saving every sprig of wrapping paper to be reused.

Those traditions are gone; buried with the ones who went before us. Even if we try to keep them going after our loved ones have passed, it’s never the same, especially when gatherings focused around them. Christmas seems broken for a while, until the new traditions are discovered.

This year we watched a Christmas movie, cooked non-traditional food, and drank hot chocolate on Christmas Eve. Just us. And it was refreshing to simply be together at our own pace. The day after Christmas, we decided to go fishing at the Gulf. Something different. New.

Traditions bring comfort, but so does newness. And who knows what new things might turn into traditions down the road.

As we move out of this old year and into the new, changes are bound to come. Traditions will end and it will be time for newness. It’s okay to shed a tear or long for the old. But it’s also okay to start something new without guilt or regret.

When the changes come, let’s embrace it. When traditions thrive, let’s embrace it. No matter what path we walk, let’s live our best life on this side of heaven, all for God’s ultimate glory regardless of comfort or familiarity.

Where do these thoughts find you this season? Are you missing old traditions or are you taking for granted that they’ll always be there?  Just make it count no matter where this finds you and enjoy the ones you have while they are still here.